Brazilian right back Ruan signs
Lions agree to 1-year deal with speedy defender
Orlando City continued its offseason roster overall with confirmation it has signed Brazilian right back Ruan to a oneyear deal.
Ruan, 23, last played from Brazilian Serie B side Associação Atlética Ponte Preta. He made 17 appearances for Ponte Preta in 2018 while on loan from Série A side Sport Club Internacional. While with Ponte Preta, he started in seven consecutive matches and went 360 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.
“We are very excited to welcome Ruan to Orlando City,” Orlando City executive vice president of soccer operations Luiz Muzzi said in a statement released Wednesday.
“He is a dependable right back that has excellent speed and is dangerous in his transition on the offensive side of the ball. As a club we continue to provide depth on our roster and build competition within the group as we head into our 2019 preseason.”
Ruan is the 12th player, including draft picks, added to Orlando City during this offseason. The Lions have let go of 14 players from last season’s roster. The club has focused on developing younger players as it pushes to make the first MLS playoff appearance in franchise history.
The Lions open preseason training camp on Wednesday at IMG Academy. They’ll return Feb. 3, ahead of their first preseason game against Louisville
Pinho waived: Striker Stéfano Pinho is the latest player impacted by Orlando City’s offseason roster overhaul.
A club source confirmed Pinho was waived by Orlando City on Wednesday, ending his tenure with the Lions after just one season. Pinho was under contract for 2019.
MLS roster rules say, “clubs may waive players based on performance at any time during the MLS season. A club may waive a Semi-Guaranteed Player at any time during the regular season until 48 hours prior to the Contract Guarantee Date. A club may waive a Guaranteed or Semi-Guaranteed Player after the Contract Guarantee Date only with League approval. Clubs may not waive a player between the Roster Freeze Date and MLS Cup.”
The Brazilian striker took to Twitter to announce his departure from the club. In his message to Orlando City’s supporters — and to those who have supported him during his time in the U.S. — he said goodbye to the country.
Pinho, 28, joined Orlando City ahead of the 2018 season after a stellar 2017 campaign with NASL side Miami FC, during which he won the 2017 NASL Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards. He scored 17 goals and to go with four assists for Miami FC in 2017.
He scored just two goals in league play for the Lions, though his first was a memorable one. Pinho’s first goal for Orlando City came in stoppage time of the 2018 season opener against D.C. United in Orlando City Stadium. The goal salvaged a draw for an Orlando City side playing with 10 men.